No matter how many times you try to describe a certain object it is still clearer when you see pictures of it. It is true with the different kinds of lice that may infest our body. Even if you describe it countless of times, you can understand it better when you are presented with pictures of lice. You would be more aware of what they look like and know better on how get rid of them. There are different pictures of lice that you can view and help prepare you to battle these lice infestations.

Lice Pictures

Head lice can be a common afflictions for young children, it can a parents’ nightmare if they learn that their children may have lice infestation. With these head lice pictures you can help identify if your child has live lice. Aside from identifying head lice you can also see pictures of the nit or the louse egg. Since nits can be mistaken for dandruff, if you look at a picture of these nits you can see the difference between nits and dandruff.

In this picture of head lice and nit you can see that the head louse has six legs, it is mostly found in the scalp. It is grayish to black in color. The head louse is almost the same size of a sesame seed. On the other hand the nit is being shown clinging tightly to the hair shaft. It is whitish to yellowish in color. The mostly stay near the upper portion of the hair strand where it is dark. It cannot survive on warm temperature.

Pictures of Head Lice Effects

Aside from identifying the physical appearance of lice, it would also be to your advantage to see how head lice can affect your head. There are several pictures of head lice and its effect on a person’s head or scalp. It shows some of the things that may happen if the infestation is not quickly remedied. The pictures of head lice effect can range from simple rashes due to scratching to sores that may lead to infection. Looking at these pictures of lice effects warn us of what might happen if the lice infestation goes untreated.

Pictures of Body Lice

In terms of physical appearance, body lice and head\ lice have little differences. The main difference is that body lice mostly stay near the seams or edges of the clothing like shirts. The body lice transfer to the body when it needs to feed. In this picture of body lice you can see the nits or lice eggs that are scattered on the seams of the shirt. Instead of laying their eggs on the body, they usually lay it on cloth fibers as seen on this picture of nits of body lice. Body lice thrive on unsanitary environment. They usually afflict those who people who are unhygienic or do not take a bath.

Pictures of Body Lice Bites

Here are some examples of what might happen to someone that is infested with body lice. As you can see in the picture of body lice bites there are red marks scattered around the stomach area of the victim. Some are already swelling due to multiple bites and lack of medical attention. Some of the body lice bites form lesions as well.

Pictures of Lice Treatment

Aside from seeing and understanding more clearly the physical appearance of lice you also need to look at the pictures of head lice treatment that are available over the counter. Some of them are in shampoo form or cream. It is important that you can identify them so that you will not mistakenly purchase some other treatments.

There are also pictures of head lice home remedies. Some people would not want to use treatments made of chemical so they would rather use home remedies that are safer and gentler to the hair and scalp. It can give you helpful hints if you look at the pictures of these lice home remedies so that you will be able to choose the right kind of ingredient to use.

Looking at the different pictures of lice can help you identify the different kinds of lice like the head lice, body lice and pubic lice. You will be able to differentiate them. You will also be aware of some of the effects these lice can do to the specific parts of the body where they stay. The pictures of lice can also help you be aware of what to do in case you will directly be affected by it. They can give you the head start on what to do and what not to do. You can also tell immediately what kind of lice you are affected with. The pictures of lice can also help you spread the information to people you know that may have a hard time dealing with lice.

One way or another you have heard about head lice. These are parasites that feed on human blood and usually stay on your scalp, especially behind the ears and nape where it is cool and dark. Another common parasite that is similar to head lice is the body lice. When you look at body lice pictures you can hardly distinguish between the two. Since head lice are more common between the two, why should you know about the symptoms and treatment for body lice?

Head Lice vs. Body Lice

Head lice are a grey-white insect about 2mm -3 mm in length or roughly the size of a sesame seed. They are the most common form of infestation in the US and mostly affect children between the ages of 3-10.  Head lice stay in the inner recess of the head like the nape and behind the ear. Girls are the most commonly affected by head lice but it infect anyone, of any age, gender, race or socioeconomic status. Hair length and hygiene are not considered factors in getting head lice.

Body lice are slightly larger than head lice but have the same general appearance. Unlike the head lice that live on the human host, body lice live in clothing particularly the seamed area. They only transfer to the human host to feed. If body louse falls off a person, they’ll die within five to seven days when exposed to room temperature.

Body lice can transmit diseases including epidemic typhus, trench fever, and relapsing fever. Body lice infestation is contagious so family members may also be infested.  It is a big problem in communities that are overcrowded, poor, and living in unsanitary conditions. Examples of people most affected by body lice are transients, homeless persons, refugees or victims of war.

Life Stages of Body Lice

Body lice have three forms: the egg, also known as nit, nymph and adult.

Nits are the lice eggs. They are generally easy to spot since they stay in the seams of an infected person‘s clothes particularly around the waistline and armpits. They are oval and usually yellow to white in color. Body lice nits usually take 1-2 weeks to hatch. Body lice nits may occasionally be attached to body hair.

The nymphs are immature lice that hatch from the eggs (nits).  May look like the adult louse but they are much smaller. Nymphs mature into adult lice about 9-12 days after hatching.

The adult louse has 6 legs and is tan to grayish-white in color. Females can lay hundreds of eggs and these eggs can easily be spread through direct contact.

Symptoms of Body Lice Infestation

Itching is the primary symptom of body lice infestation. Bites from body lice would look like minute red dots. These dots would be commonly seen on around soft, creased area of the skin like the armpits, the creases inside the elbow, the under wear region, groin, upper thighs and waistline. These tiny dots may elevate into pimple like rashes similar to German measles. These rashes may also be a sign of an allergic reaction to body lice bites. Areas around the waist or groin may become thickened or discolored when body lice have been present for a long time. Secondary skin infection is a complication that can result from scratching.

Exams and Tests for Body Lice

You can visit your doctor or a nearby clinic. Usually doctors can diagnose the condition by looking at your skin and inspecting your clothing. Person with body lice should also be tested for head lice.

Treatment of Body Lice

There are ways to eliminate or treat body lice infestation. Destroy or carefully wash infected clothing in hot water, then machine dry. Sometimes the infected person is also treated with a pediculicide. Pediculicide is a medicine that can kill lice. When you are using pediculicides, follow the directions carefully.  The doctor might also prescribe some topical cream or wash containing permethrin, malathione, or benzyl alcohol. Improving your personal hygiene with regular bathing or showering is important for control. You’ll also need to vacuum and clean your floors, couches and other furniture and anything else in your house that comes in contact with your skin.

Sometimes, complications may arise from having body lice infestation. Call your doctor immediately when you start experiencing the following symptoms like when the lice bites start to have pus and emit a foul smell.

Using the anti-lice medication can also cause some side effects like vomiting, head ache, hot flashes, numbness of the skin, burning or stinging sensation. Inform your doctor immediately when you experience these side effects and have your treatment changed.

Prevention of Body Lice

Having good personal hygiene will prevent you from having body lice. Effective treatment of infected person s will prevent lice from spreading. Regular changing and laundering of clothes especially the underwear should also be practiced. Avoid having close physical contact or sharing bedding or clothing with anyone who has body lice.